elbow-grease
Vigorous manual labor
Elbow grease is vigorous physical effort, especially rubbing or scrubbing: This floor needs some elbow grease.
The term evokes the motion of the elbow during hard manual labor.
It often appears in contexts where something requires old-fashioned effort rather than shortcuts: There's no substitute for elbow grease.
Cleaning by rubbing hard
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- buffingFriction-based shine work
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
wiping · cleaning · shining · burnishing · waxing · mopping · sweeping · brushing
Completely free of marks
- gleamingReflecting light brightly
- sparklingEmitting small bright flashes
- immaculateCompletely without blemish
- disinfectingKilling bacteria and viruses
degreasing · soap · bucket · rag · sponge · bristles · detergent · vinegar
Created manually, not mechanically
- manualWritten instructions for use
- restorationReturning something to condition
- refinishingRestoring a worn surface
- woodworkingCraft of shaping lumber
metalwork · leatherwork · detailing · upholstery · hand-tooled · artisan · workshop · bench
scrubbing
Cleaning by rubbing hard
rubbing · wiping · cleaning · shining · burnishing · waxing · mopping · sweeping · brushing · sanding
spotless
Completely free of marks
- gleamingReflecting light brightly
- sparklingEmitting small bright flashes
- immaculateCompletely without blemish
disinfecting · degreasing · soap · bucket · rag · sponge · bristles · detergent · vinegar · bleach
handmade
Created manually, not mechanically
- manualWritten instructions for use
- restorationReturning something to condition
- refinishingRestoring a worn surface
woodworking · metalwork · leatherwork · detailing · upholstery · hand-tooled · artisan · workshop · bench · hands-on
elbow-greaselaziness
Unwillingness to exert oneself
idleness · sloth · inactivity · indolence · lethargy
elbow-greaseautomation
Self-operating system design
shortcuts · labor-saving devices · power tools · quick fix · easy way out
elbow, grease, elbows, elbowed, elbowing, greased, greases, greasing, greasy